Knockdown mast



G. F. GRAY.

KNOCKDOWN MAST. APPHCATiQN FILED FEB. 5, 1919.

Patented J une 8, 1920.

Jhrcnfor UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KNOGKDOWN MAST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1920.

Application filed February 5, 1919. Serial No. 275,202.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Gnonsn F. GRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at IVashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Masts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to masts, and has for its object a knock-down structure for wireless telegraph and other purposes which may be readily assembled for use or disassembled for facility of transport andyet present a maximum of strength, stability and the like for such structures.

A further object desired is to provide a mast, the several sections of which may be easily put, together, and in which an efficient cooperation of the several parts is assured even under the most adverse conditions.

To these ends the invention consists in the combination of parts and details of construction more fully hereinafter disclosed, and

particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein the numerals indicate like parts in all the views:

Figure 1, represents an assembled antennae unit, showing the use of the mast in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2, one of the interchangeable sections of which the mastis made up, certain parts thereof being broken away to more clearly show the construction of the same, and

Fig. 3, a section taken on the line of Fig. 2.

The antennae proper is indicated by 1, it being suspended between the upper ends of the masts 2 and 3. Guys l extend from the tops of the masts to the ground where they are firmly secured to hold the masts in place. The masts are made up of any number of interchangeable sections, one of which is shown in Fig. 2. Each section is preferably made of wood, and is provided at its lower extremity with a spiked metal point 5 whereby the section may be readily secured in the ground should it be desired to use it as the lowermost section of the mast; or, if used at an intermediate point or as the uppermost member, the form of the spike is such that it readily becomes the male member of the conical slip-j oint between two adjoining sections. Although illustrated and described, no claims are made herein to this conical slipjoint, which, however, forms the subjectmatter of a divisional application, Serial No. 324,127, filed September 16, 1919. The main body 6 of the mast section is preferably made of some light straight grain wood, such as spruce. The upper end of the section carrles a tube member 7 securely riveted thereto. This member 7 is so constructed as to serve a twofold purpose; first, that of acting as the female member of the joint between two adjoining sections if the section of which it is a part is any other than the top section of the mast, and secondly, it is provided with openings 8 near the upper edge thereof so that when used at the top of the mast, the antennae and the guys. 4 may readily be attached thereto, preferably by means of ordinary harness snaps.

Member 7 is provided with a reinforcement 9 about its upper edge in order that the same may not be easily distorted and thus prevent functioning of the joint elements. Member 7 is also tapered within, the smaller diameter being at the lower end thereof. The taper on spike 5 of an adjoining section 1s made to fit the taper on the inside of member 7, but the taper is such as not to become wedged or to make a suction fit. This construction insures cooperation of the two parts of the joint, and even if the external member of a joint becomes jammed a little the joint can still be made. Channels 10 are formed in the inner face of the member 7 during the course of manufacture thereof which consists in heating a piece of metal tubing and pressing the same in a die to form said member, the surplus metal causing the channels 10 to be formed on either side thereof.

In order that the two members of a joint may never rust together they are made of dissimilar metals. Member 7 preferably be ing steel and spike member 5, tough brass or bronze casting. A drain hole 11 in the lower part of member 7 provides egress for any water that may lodge in the cup-member of the joint.

I do not wish to be understood as confining this invention to the specific details of construction nor to the specific uses de scribed, except as pointed out in the claims.

hat I claim is:

1. A knock-down mast for wireless telegraphy comprising a plurality of interchange able sections, ground-engaging means at one end of each of said sections, and means at the other end of each section for securing guys, antennae and the like thereto.

2. A knock-down mast for Wireless telegraphy and the like comprising a plurality of interchangeable sections, combined couplingv or ground-engaging means at one end'of'each of said sections, and combined means at the other end of each section for coupling said sections or for securing guys, antennae and the like thereto.

3, A. knock-down mast comprising a plurality of interchangeable sections, couplings between said sections, the inner member of each of said. couplings being adapted to act as ground-engaging means for the mast, While the outer member is also adapted to act asimeans for securing guys, antennae and the like thereto.

4:. An interchangeable knock-down mast section, ground-engaging means at one end thereof, and means at the other end for securin guys, antennae and the like thereto.

5. in interchangeable, knock-down mast section, combined coupling or ground-engaging means at one end thereof, and com bined means at the other'end thereof for coupling said-section to another section or fior securing guys, antennae and, the like thereto.

In: testimony whereof I my signature.

GEORGE, r. GRAY. 

